
If you're considering a therapeutic boarding school for your child, finding one that takes insurance can be a game-changer for your family's financial situation.
Many therapeutic boarding schools accept various types of insurance, including Medicaid, private insurance, and some even offer financial aid packages.
Some schools have a dedicated team to handle insurance claims and billing, making the process smoother for families.
Insurance coverage can vary widely between schools, so it's essential to research and verify coverage before making a decision.
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Insurance and Payment Options
If you have a PPO insurance policy, you'll likely have out-of-network benefits after meeting the deductible, which can cover a portion of the clinical component of a therapeutic boarding school program.
Some PPO providers include Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, UMR, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Therapeutic boarding schools may offer a courtesy verification of benefits (VOB) to determine what's covered, and some even file your insurance for you, deducting it from your invoices.

However, other programs will give you super-bills, which you'll need to file with your provider and wait for reimbursement.
Clearview Boarding School, for example, accepts insurance coverage from participating providers like Aetna, Cigna, United Health Care, Providence, and Blue Cross.
Boarding schools for troubled teens also offer various payment options, including financing, tuition discounts, and payment plans.
Here are some common payment options:
- Financing: Many schools work with a third-party health care lender to help parents finance their teen's treatment.
- Tuition discounts: Some schools offer discounts if the upfront cost of boarding school attendance is paid in full.
- Payment plans: Families who can't afford the upfront cost may be able to set up a payment plan with the school.
Finding and Choosing a School
There are several private residential treatment centers and therapeutic boarding schools in the US that will file your insurance for you. If you're interested in one of these schools that will take care of the insurance paperwork, there are options available.
Some schools will give you super-bills to file for reimbursement, so be sure to ask about this when researching schools. This can be a convenient option if you're already familiar with the insurance process.
Therapeutic boarding schools typically provide year-round housing for students, allowing them to leave their family home and live with other students on campus. This environment can be beneficial for struggling teens who need a change of scenery.
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School Operations and Expectations
At therapeutic boarding schools that take insurance, school operations and expectations are designed to support students' academic and personal growth. These schools typically have a small student-to-staff ratio, allowing for more individualized attention and care.
Therapeutic boarding schools often have a structured daily schedule that includes academic classes, therapy sessions, and extracurricular activities. This helps students establish a sense of routine and responsibility.
Students are usually expected to participate in academic classes, which may include credit recovery or acceleration to help them catch up or get ahead. Some schools also offer online or virtual classes for added flexibility.
Therapeutic boarding schools often have a team of licensed therapists and counselors on staff, providing individual and group therapy sessions. These sessions may focus on specific issues, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Students typically have access to a range of extracurricular activities, including sports, art, music, and outdoor programs. These activities help students develop new skills and interests while building relationships with peers and staff.
Many therapeutic boarding schools require students to participate in family therapy sessions, which involve the student, their family, and a therapist. This helps families work through issues and develop stronger relationships.
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Therapeutic Approach and Services
Our therapeutic boarding schools offer a comprehensive program that integrates therapeutic, residential, and academic components to create an immersive experience for transformation.
Individual therapy is a key part of our program, providing one-on-one support from a dedicated therapist to help teens work through personal challenges and build emotional resilience.
Medication management and psychiatric evaluations are also available, with careful oversight from our clinical team to ensure safe and effective treatment.
A therapeutic boarding school can provide a safe and organized place for teens to heal and find support for behavioral or mental health issues.
Conditions such as eating disorders and self-harm tendencies can be treated with specialized support, and our holistic care is tailored to each student's unique needs.
Improved mental health is the goal of our program, and we provide the support and structure needed for teens to overcome personal challenges and build a stronger future.
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Benefits for Teens and Youth
Therapeutic boarding schools can provide a safe and supportive environment for teens and youth to address various mental health, behavioral, and emotional issues.
These structured environments offer comprehensive therapy, education, and support tailored to the needs of each individual, helping them build coping skills and improve behavior.
A minimum of 9-20 months of program duration allows for ample time for profound transformation and ongoing support, ensuring a strong foundation for long-term recovery and wellness.
Studies have shown that transitional living programs and group homes can play a crucial role in full recovery and wellness for young adults and teens after residential treatment.
By participating in recreational activities or service opportunities in the local area, teens and youth can develop new skills and interests, and build relationships with peers and mentors.
Recovery is an ongoing process, and a transitional program can help young adults achieve deeper healing and develop the tools they need to succeed both academically and socially.
Insurance and Coverage
PPO insurance policies typically offer out-of-network benefits after meeting an out-of-network deductible, covering providers like Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Most PPO policies will have more financial coverage if you stay in-network, but these facilities are often shorter-term and may not permit your teen to be transported to the program.
You can get a courtesy verification of benefits (VOB) from the program to determine what's covered, which is more accurate than doing it yourself.
Some therapeutic boarding schools will file your insurance for you and deduct it from your invoices, while others will give you super-bills to file with your provider.
Clearview Boarding School accepts insurance coverage from participating providers like Aetna, Cigna, United Health Care, Providence, and Blue Cross, with a program designed to last 9-20 months.
If you have health insurance that covers mental health, you may be able to pay for your teen's therapeutic boarding school attendance with your insurance.
You'll need to contact your insurance provider to determine what requirements the boarding school must meet for coverage, and a licensed therapeutic boarding school should have the right staff and provide necessary care to qualify.
If your insurance covers mental and behavioral health, some programs can bill insurance for Out of Network Benefits, which will cover the cost of therapy only.
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Most programs require the full cost of the program upfront, and even then, there's no guarantee you'll be reimbursed, but they can run a Verification of Benefits to tell you the cost range you'll be responsible for.
With HMO, Medicaid, and most Tricare insurances, you need to stay in-network for financial coverage, but there are exceptions, like a "Single Case Agreement" that can allow you to see an out-of-network provider with in-network benefits.
Sources
- https://helpyourteens.com/therapeutic-schools-that-take-insurance/
- https://www.clearviewhorizon.com/clearview-boarding-school/
- https://www.embarkbh.com/therapeutic-boarding-schools/
- https://www.liahonaacademy.com/insurance-and-other-common-ways-parents-finance-a-boarding-school-for-troubled-teens.html
- https://www.theenvoygroup.com/pay-therapeutic-boarding-schools-residential-treatment-centers-wilderness-therapy-programs/
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